In this post I'll show you how to add simple detailing anyone can do. I'll then continue with uncomplicated dressing ideas, and eventually (as it isn't dark in my part of the world right now) I'll share with you how this style can be dramatically altered using lighting.

The frame and "glass" are made of plastic (issue number 1 I'll be focusing on).

The size is 14" H x 21" W which is pretty decent. Placed in a hallway or a nook of the room, it would work well as a focal point. But if you want to display it on a large wall, it suddenly looks smaller than it is (issue number 2 I'll be focusing on).

Plus, the mirror itself has a curved back (in order to create the upside down effect). The dressing approach I use will camouflage that as well.

As you know, every year I choose a different theme for my Halloween parties. Based on that theme, I assemble a collection of ghoulish goodies to display: some I make from recyclable items you find around the house; some are store bought items that have been given a makeover of some sort.

Last night was Nuit Blanche, when many of the streets in downtown Toronto are turned into living art exhibits. It runs from dusk (6:59 pm to be exact) till dawn.

Yetch and I got an early start since I didn't think I'd be able to stay up late (I'd been working all day, and recovering from a nasty week of migraines and cold viruses) .

We actually didn't get home until 3 am, but that was more due to having to wait for a subway train that was actually in service (we had three go by that weren't picking people up. Thanks for extending hours, TTC. I could've caught the bus faster. Or walked).

There seemed to be less art exhibits this year, which is a shame, because it's such a big night in the city and it's one of those things that defines who we are (to me, anyway). Hundreds of thousands of people, all walking around in the middle of the night, pointing and smiling at the sights. Even when the throngs of bar-goers come out, you generally don't see any scuffles along the art routes (there was a LOT more drinking happening last night than previous years. That and the prevalent waft of pot that hit you every five minutes. I joked with Yetch that if any tourists are visiting, they'll go home telling everyone that in Toronto, everyone just walks down the street getting high) .

There's still some details to add here and there, but overall I'm pleased with the site's organization (and I hope you'll be happier with it too, and be able to find things more easily).

The only sad sacrifice that had to be made were the comments from the past 4 years. I had no way to import them here (I spent hours resubmitting all the comments people left on the "About" page over the years), and had to make the decision to let them go. *sigh*

Quick little update. I've spent the last few days finally building the new website. Everything is being redesigned. Who knew I had so much content? I'd say I'm more than 70% done. The goal is to have the new site launched by Oct 1. I think you're going to dig it. Until then I won't be adding much of anything new to the site. Besides that, thanks to everyone who sent notes and updates for how they spent Misgivings Day weekend. And since Sam of Trick or Treat fame has been dominating the announcement of every holiday this past year, a friend thought I should have my own Sam promo for Misgivings Day in the form of a sketch. I think it's pretty hilarious.

For this Misgivings Day Weekend, why not make one of these? It's super simple to make. And I mean, who doesn't need a Skull Candle Holder?

Closer to Halloween, I will be adding webbing (using a webgun), but for now here's the (almost) finished image. All you need is a skull (the ones from the dollar store work great), PVC pipe (or you could use a paper towel roll or tall can), hot glue gun, paint, and whatever you want to attach your skull to (I used fake books).

Most of the skulls you find at the dollar store look like they are from the the dollar store. But if the shape of the skull is good, then you can easily spruce it up with some paint.

When I first bought the foam skull, it was yellow (see the side-by-side image below). I took some watered down black paint (a wash) and added more shadows around the jaw, the eyes...basically anywhere there was a contour.

He showed us his different methods of creating a shelf inside the PVC pipes where the LED candle lights would sit. The first option was using expanding foam (see the image below, far right). Basically, you fill it up, let it dry and slice off the overflow so it's flush with the edge of the PVC pipe. Then you need to cut out a circle in the middle to drop the candle light in. There are various drill attachments you can use to do so, or you're faced with the task of doing it by hand.

The second method (favoured by Hector over the first method) is using simple pipe insulation.